Jack Gardner (musician)

Jack Gardner (actually Francis Henry Gardner, born August 14, 1903 in Joliet (Illinois ), † November 26, 1957 in Dallas ) was an American jazz pianist and songwriter.

Life and work

Jack Gardner began performing in the early 1920s in Denver, where he played with Doc Beckers Blue Devils and in the band of Boyd Senter. In 1923 he moved to Chicago, where he led his own band in which at times also played the clarinet Clarence Hutch Rider. He also worked among others with Dave Tough and Eddie Condon (1927 ), Wingy Manone (1928 ), Jean gold chain and Gene Austin, Jimmy McPartland 1936. He remained until 1937 in Chicago and then moved to New York City. There he played with Sandy Williams and Harry James ( Night Special / Back Beat Boogie ), then returned in the early 1940s back to Chicago, where he performed with his own band. In 1944, he took with Baby Dodds on ( drag Doll / Bye Bye Pretty Baby ). In his later years he worked in Dallas. Especially towards the end of his career he was also active as a songwriter.

According to Nat Hentoff was his piano playing - similar to Jimmy Blythe, Alex Hill, Art Hodes and Joe Sullivan - influenced by ragtime and blues.